Instant vs. Lab Drug Tests: What Employers Need to Know

What are the pros and cons of instant and lab drug tests? Here’s what employers need to know to make the best decision when deciding which to use.

In 2013, almost 80% of employers tested for drugs in at least one section of their business.

It’s a vital part of finding the right candidates and keeping the workplace safe. Unfortunately, some drug tests are expensive, leaving employers facing one very important question: should they use lab drug tests or instant drug tests?

Let’s explore the pros and cons of each to discover which is right for you and your company.

Lab Drug Tests

Lab drug tests are conducted by professionals in controlled environments. Employees are directed to a site. There, a sample is collected.

Specialists later provide results directly to the company.

Benefits

Many corporations, especially larger businesses, utilize laboratory testing for its many benefits.

Thorough

The five-panel detects marijuana, PCP, cocaine, amphetamines and opiates. The eight-panel adds tranquilizers, barbiturates and methaqualone to the screening. In addition to these, the ten-panel usually screens for methadone and propoxyphene.

Of these, the most popular is the eight-panel. However, the flexibility allows businesses to choose how thorough they would like to be, making it especially ideal for positions involving safety hazards or medicines.

Furthermore, employers determine “cut-off levels” for each drug.

Accurate

Laboratory tests are extremely accurate, but no drug test is correct in 100% of cases. Recent research discovers drug testing, in general, may produce false positives or false negatives 5% to 10% of the time.

However, laboratory testing does come with more regulations-which translates into greater accuracy. State laws in New York, for example, require careful labeling, certified personnel or individuals with degrees and even a secondary test if a sample turns up positive for drugs.

Claims

In legal matters, laboratory tests are especially effective. Because they comply with SAMHSA guidelines, the empirical data from tests can be used in court.

Most instant tests, on the other hand, require follow-up testing if employers need data for court.

Cheating

Finally, laboratories take measures to protect against cheating tests. Some include a blue dye in toilet water; others turn off the water into the area where samples are collected.

Instant Tests

A sample is collected and the test measures the amount of substance in the urine. If the amount is greater than the threshold, it tests positive. The results are usually indicated on a colored panel.

Benefits

There are several benefits to instant drug tests and many urban legends about their accuracy. However, these are viable options for almost all businesses.

Expense

For many businesses, using instant tests they provide through HR is much less expensive than going through a clinic or laboratory.

Tests range from $10 to above $100 depending on what businesses need.

Efficiency

By far the greatest advantage of instant drug tests is their efficiency. Employers know right away if a candidate is a good fit for the company.

This speeds the hiring process up considerably and saves the applicant time and money.

Accuracy

It’s a common myth that instant drug tests are less accurate than laboratory drug tests. Rapid screening tests are just as accurate as laboratory ones.

Studies indicate they have a greater than 97% accuracy rate. Added to the minimized expense and increased efficiency, this characteristic makes them a great asset for businesses.

Flexibility

Some corporations, such as businesses involving increased safety hazards or access to medications, require in-depth knowledge about an employee’s drug use.

But most businesses are comfortable with regular five, eight, or ten-panel tests or even single tests. Like laboratory screenings, instant tests provide options that work well for businesses.

Considerations

Instant drug tests have a plethora of advantages, but there are several considerations business should keep in mind.

Administration

Not sending potential employees to a laboratory means someone in your business must be trained on how to take and test samples. Instant tests are easy to supply and read, but this does require extra time and training.

Furthermore, there is the general notion that instant drug tests provided by company workers are more susceptible to adulteration. Although there is no way to know if adulteration increases with the use of instant tests, it is advisable personnel have thorough training about how to watch for “cheating.”

Limitations

Instant tests have limited assortments of panels, but today’s products offer so many choices this is rarely an issue.

In addition, certain positions that require specific empirical data about the levels found in potential employees are lacking. Panels generally provide a negative or positive result, making thresholds unable to be dictated by companies.

For government agencies, hospitals or dangerous positions, this can give a limited picture of the individual’s drug use when a more intricate understanding is needed.

Find Your Kit

Lab drug tests are advantageous for some employers, but most businesses benefit just as much (if not more) from instant and rapid drug tests.

For companies seeking a thorough understanding of past drug use and empirical data, laboratory tests are ideal. If you desire accuracy, efficiency and cost management, instant tests are your best option.

Yet even instant screenings require some knowledge. Do you know what type of drug testing kit you need? Find out by reading our article.

[…] understand that a drug test could be waiting for them every month. You’ll either need to pay for kits that you use in the office or pay a contract fee to an outside company who performs the drug […]